Lazy Labrador Coffee House Opens in Kennesaw, Georgia through Crimson Cup’s 7 Steps to Success Coffee Shop Startup Program

Lazy Labrador Coffee House opened November 19, 2021, in Kennesaw, Georgia, with support from award-winning coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea.

After retiring in 2020, Bob and Susan Milani wanted to become more invested in their community. Soon, they discovered a downtown revitalization plan. The chief retail resource missing? A coffee shop! Bob and Susan saw a way to serve their community by serving their favorite beverage. They acquired a Queen Anne style home built in 1909 which sits on a half-acre in the heart of downtown Kennesaw’s entertainment and historic district. They named their shop after their Lab Kirby, who likes to sprawl lazily at his master’s feet while Bob enjoys a delicious cup of coffee. The biggest hurdle? The couple had zero experience in running a coffee shop.

“As we planned The Lazy Labrador, we tried six or seven different coffee roasters,” Susan said. They discovered Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea, a coffee roaster that offers the 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program. “Having the consulting was the thing that clinched it for me,” Bob said. “Knowing someone would be there to answer all our questions gave us the confidence to move forward.”

Susan found Step 5, Focus on Training, the most valuable. “Training is the key to helping us be successful.” 7 Steps Trainer and Project Manager Steve Bayless helped the Milanis design the shop then traveled to Kennesaw the week before the shop opened. He taught Bob, Susan, and their baristas how to prepare drinks and run Lazy Labrador then stayed through opening day to ensure everything ran well. Asked what he would say to others who are thinking about opening a coffee shop, Bob offered this advice: “Make sure you’re well financed if you’re doing a historical renovation. Feel very confident in the partner you select. They what they say they’re going to do, offer great products, and have really solid experience.”

The Milanis invite everyone in Kennesaw and beyond to visit The Lazy Labrador. “We are excited about bringing our community together in a fun and cool place with really good coffee and an outdoor place where dogs can hang out with their owners,” Bob said. Follow the shop’s Facebook page for news about hours and the grand opening celebration planned for January 2022.

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Since May 1991, award-winning coffee roaster Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea has roasted sustainably sourced craft coffee for consumers and wholesale customers. Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs to how to start a coffee shop in their community. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into how much it costs to start a coffee shop. The company also operates several Crimson Cup Coffee Houses and a new Crimson retail flagship store.

To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com.